Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 4 of 107 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seats. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports7 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
107 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 1999
Unknown Or Other
PAINT PEELING AND CHIPPING FROM TIME OF PURCHASE. ADDITIONAL STORM DAMAGE OCCURRED ON JUNE 1, 1999 WHICH COMPREHENSIVE WOULD HAVE COVERED. BODY SHOP TOLD ME IF HE TRIED TO REPAIR THE NEW DAMAGE THE OTHER WOULD ONLY CHIP AND PEEL WORSE DUE TO THE BUFFING. HE SAID HE HAD SEEN LOTS OF PAINT ON 1993 DODGE SHADOWS JUST LIKE MINE A…
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PAINT PEELING AND CHIPPING FROM TIME OF PURCHASE. ADDITIONAL STORM DAMAGE OCCURRED ON JUNE 1, 1999 WHICH COMPREHENSIVE WOULD HAVE COVERED. BODY SHOP TOLD ME IF HE TRIED TO REPAIR THE NEW DAMAGE THE OTHER WOULD ONLY CHIP AND PEEL WORSE DUE TO THE BUFFING. HE SAID HE HAD SEEN LOTS OF PAINT ON 1993 DODGE SHADOWS JUST LIKE MINE AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE BAD PAINT BUT TO HIS KNOWLEDGE THERE WAS NO RECALL ON IT. IF YOU HAVE ANY INPUT OR CAN FIND OUT IF THEY DID RECALL THE PAINT ON THAT PARTICULAR VEHICLE PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL AT BIGFOOTKAY@AOL.COM. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. KAY MCMAHON
NHTSA ODI #707727
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 1999
Structure
FRAME OF VEHICLE IS BENDING IN MIDDLE CAUSING THE DOORS TO NOT CLOSE PROPERLY DUE TO ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. MJS
NHTSA ODI #545995
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 1999
Unknown Or Other
THE PAINT HAS BEEN PEELING FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS. I CONTACTED DODGE, THEY SAID TALK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID SENSE THERE IS NO RECALL BY DODGE, THEY WOULD GIVE US A DISCOUNT ON A PAINT JOB. I SEE THIS PROBLEM WITH MOST OF THE 1993 DODGE SHADOWS IN THIS AREA. I HAVE A NEIGHBOR WHO PURCHASED HERS FROM ANOTHER DEALER. THE DEA…
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THE PAINT HAS BEEN PEELING FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS. I CONTACTED DODGE, THEY SAID TALK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID SENSE THERE IS NO RECALL BY DODGE, THEY WOULD GIVE US A DISCOUNT ON A PAINT JOB. I SEE THIS PROBLEM WITH MOST OF THE 1993 DODGE SHADOWS IN THIS AREA. I HAVE A NEIGHBOR WHO PURCHASED HERS FROM ANOTHER DEALER. THE DEALER REPAINTED HER CAR TWICE NOW AT NO CHARGE TO HER. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707206
Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 1999
Air Bags
WHEN WASHING THE CAR - THE PAINT JUST PEELED OFF AND NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. *AK
NHTSA ODI #705156
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 1999
Seats
THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE DRIVER'S SEAT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM BROKE IN HALF. *AK
NHTSA ODI #704971
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 1999
Structure
WHILE WASHING MY CAR THE PAINT JUST CRINKLED UP AND FELL OFF - THERE IS NO RUST ON MY CAR
NHTSA ODI #703602
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 1999
Seats
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BOLT BROKE, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO MOVE BACKWARD WHICH MAY CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THERE IS RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR THE 1992 SHADOW, RECALL 97V078000. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #833074
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 1998
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE FUEL LINE ON THIS VEHICLE HAS A PROPRIETORY CONNECTION GOING FROM THE STEEL GAS TANK LINE TO THE FUEL FILTER. THE FACTORY CRIMPED CLAMP ON THIS LINE COMPLETELY FAILED ALLOWING FUEL TO RUN FREELY WHENEVER THE IGNITION WAS ON. THIS FAILURE WAS CAUGHT IN TIME TO NEGATE ANY SERIOUS PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE FAILURE OF THIS FACT…
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THE FUEL LINE ON THIS VEHICLE HAS A PROPRIETORY CONNECTION GOING FROM THE STEEL GAS TANK LINE TO THE FUEL FILTER. THE FACTORY CRIMPED CLAMP ON THIS LINE COMPLETELY FAILED ALLOWING FUEL TO RUN FREELY WHENEVER THE IGNITION WAS ON. THIS FAILURE WAS CAUGHT IN TIME TO NEGATE ANY SERIOUS PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE FAILURE OF THIS FACTORY CRIMPED HOSE CONNECTION. I HAVE SAVED THE PARTS INVOLVED IN THIS AND THEY ARE AVAILABLE IF YOU WISH TO INSPECT THEM. ON CONTACTING THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT THIS FAILURE WAS THE RESULT OF OUR MN CLIMATE AND THEREFORE THE RUST AND FAILURE OF THIS FACTORY HOSE CLAMP WAS NOT OF CONCERN TO THEM. NOTE: THE PROPRIETORY CONNECTION WAS RUSTY, THE FAILURE WAS IN THE FACTORY CRIMPED HOSE CLAMP ATTACHED TO IT. THE METAL IN THIS FACTORY CRIMPED CLAMP LOOKS LIKE POT METAL OR SOMETHING SIMILAR
NHTSA ODI #700600
Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
SERPENTINE BELT TENSION PULLY FAILED ALLOWING SERENTINE BELT TO FALL OFF. SERPENTINE BELT PULLY AND BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $200.00. VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY. SEPENTINE BELT TENSION PULLY IS A DEALER ITEM ONLY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER SEAT CAN FAIL AND SEPARATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE BOLT FAILS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT WITH A HIGHER STRENGTH BOLT THAT INCLUDES A SELF LOCKING NYLON PATCH.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4
DP03002 · Steering Column Separation
Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.
RQ99006 · Seat Back Failure
Opened May 13, 1999 · Closed Feb 2, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats
THE SEAT RECLINER'S LOWER BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK CAUSING THE SET BACK TO COLLAPSE BACKWARD WITHOUT WARNING.
PE96008 · Safety Blt Latch Operation
Opened Jan 25, 1996 · Closed Jun 28, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
PE94069 · Interior Fires
Opened Sep 14, 1994 · Closed Jan 31, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
There is no summary currently available
1993 Dodge Shadow Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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